Program Description

Technologists who use ultrasound to examine the heart chambers, valves, and vessels are referred to as Echocardiogram Technicians or Cardiac Sonographers. This profession requires application of good judgment, and the ability to provide competent medical services to patients using diagnostic sonography equipment. The images created with the use of ultrasound instrumentation are called Cardiac Sonograms or Echocardiograms. Cardiac Sonographers “Echocardiogram Technicians” work under the supervision of a licensed physician. They may perform Echocardiogram while the patient is either resting or after physical activity. Data obtained is used to assist the physician with diagnostic decision. Cardiac Sonographers “Echocardiogram Technicians” may administer medication to physically active patients to assess their heart function. Cardiac Sonographers “Echocardiogram Technicians” also may assist physicians who perform Transesophageal Echocardiography, which involves placing a small transducer in the patient’s esophagus to obtain ultrasound images

Program  Objectives

Include preparation of students for/to:

An entry level position in Echocardiography labs in various Cardiac Non-invasive and X-ray departments at hospitals, clinics, imaging centers, or private physicians’ offices;
Obtaining, reviewing, and integrating pertinent patient history and supporting clinical data to facilitate optimum diagnostic results;
Performing appropriate procedures and recording anatomic, pathologic, and/or physiologic data for interpretation by a physician;
Recording, analyzing, and processing diagnostic data and other pertinent observations made during the procedure for presentation to the interpreting physician;
Exercise discretion and judgment in the performance of sonographic and/or other diagnostic services;
Demonstrate appropriate communication skills with patients and colleagues;The program prepares student to act in a professional and ethical manner;
Provide patient education related to medical ultrasound and/or other diagnostic vascular techniques, and promote principles of good healing;
Use ultrasound equipment to analyze the mechanical functions of the heart;
Recognize cardiac pathophysiology;
Utilize the necessary skills and techniques to obtain two-dimensional tomographic images of the heart, measure blood flow velocities within the chambers of the heart with high frequency transducers.

At the completion of the program, the graduates will:
Have the necessary skills for entry level career advancement opportunities existing in the medical field as Cardiac Sonographers (Echocardiogram Technicians), Administrators, Cardiac Researchers, or in commercial companies as Application Specialists, Sales Representatives, and Technical Advisors.
Acquire appropriate procedure and recordings of physiology, pathologies and anatomic data for interpretation by cardiologist.
Acquire the skills to communicate with patients and physicians.
Develop an understanding with exercising good judgment in the performance of cardiac non invasive procedures.
Be able to perform adequate Echocardiographic measurements.
Be eligible to sit for the registry examination.
Be awarded a Certificate of Completion.

The Echocardiogram certificate program prepares the student to function as an entry level Cardiac Sonographer in hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices or imaging centers.

Program Length-Day/Clinical Schedule

The length of the program is 5 Semesters daytime classes only. The maximum time allowed to complete this program is 150% from the start date. A limited enrollment is held to assure a good instructor to student ratio, and include both didactic and clinical training in a variety of environments. Students attend classroom lectures and labs for three semesters Monday to Thursday. The majority of classes between the hours of 8:00 am and 8:00 pm. Clinical rotation is mandatory and begins in the third semester. Twenty (20) semester credits hours totaling 904 externship hours clock hours are needed to graduate from the program. Rotations through the clinics are scheduled during the daytime. Echocardiography Clinical I is scheduled on Wednesday evening. Labs assignments are done on campus.

This program is offered in Spring, Summer and Fall each year. Classes are small.

Professional Credentialing

The  state of Texas do not require Sonographers to be licensed. There are four states in the nation with laws or regulations requiring Echocardiogram Technicians to be registered. Graduates of this program may seek voluntary national certification exams, which are available through and Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) or the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) if you meet . The college is not affiliated with Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) or the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS). Refer to www.ARDMS.org or www.CCI_online.org for information.

Echocardiogram Technician Program Master Curriculum Completion Plan
Course Number Course Name
Credit  Hours
Total Credits Semester 1
 
15
BIO 110
Anatomy & Physiology
4
MATH 220
College Algebra
2
ENG 110
English Composition
2
DMS 212
Medical and Sonographic Terminology
1
PHY 216
General Physics
3
PC 200
Medico Legal Principles & Patient Care
3
Total Credits Semester 2
 
17
PHY 220
Sonographic Physics and Instrumentation
3
PH 101
Cardiac Pharmacology
3
ECHO 225
Principles of Echocardiography
4
ECHO 224
Intermediate Echocardiography Lab Practicum
3
ECHO 223
Cardiac Electrophysiology
4
Total Credits Semester 3
 
15
ECHO 230
Echocardiography Clinical 1
1
ECHO 228
Cardiac Pathology1
4
ECHO 226
Advanced Principles of Cardiac Evaluation
3
ECHO 227
Advanced Adult Echocardiography Lab Practicum
3
BIO 111
Pathophysiology
4
Total Credits Semester 4
 
12
ECHO 229
Cardiac Pathology 11

3

ECHO 231
Clinical Sonography Rotation 11

9

Total Credits Semester 5
 
14
ECHO 232
Echocardiography Clinical 111
10
ECHO-INTRO TO VAS 200
Introduction to Vascular Ultrasound
2
INTRO TO VASCULAR 201
Vascular Ultrasound Lab Practicum
2
 

 

Total Semester Credits Hours = 73 

Total Clock Hours = 2268 

 Each Semester is 15 weeks.

COST OF ATTENDANCE:

 Beginning in the  fall  of 2023 there will be an increase in tuition  from $22, 975 to $23,975. Registration Fee $100.  Other Charges include: Lab, Liability Insurance. $935.

Uniform Books and supplies are not included in the cost of attendance.

2022 PROGRAM OUTCOME:
Retention Rate 96%
Placement Rate 100%.